LOR- Which is better?

[malamed]

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Hello all- First post here on SDN,
I am applying to DO programs for the first time after being relentlessly rejected from several PA programs last cycle. Kind of simple question here- I had an A&P teacher at a CC who also teaches online classes at the D.O. program I am applying to. Would it be beneficial to get a LOR from her(assuming they favor references from their own faculty)? OR would it more more beneficial to get another MD LOR from the hospital I will be volunteering at? ORR I have another reference from my undergrad school. She in non-academic, but the Associate Provost for Enrollment and the faculty advisor for the club I was VP in.
I already have a LOR from the MD at my office( I work as an MA)
I know they would all be good letters, but what would LOOK best?? Appreciate your feedback🙂

 

[lysine9740]

I would get the letter from whoever knows you best, and can give you the best letter. If the A&P professor knows you pretty well, it would probably be more beneficial, if it is a good letter, and since they would know her. If her letter would just be mediocre, then pick the letter from your office, since he/she could probably give you a shining letter. Also, you might be able to use more than one letter? Have you checked with your school?

 

[malamed]

I would get the letter from whoever knows you best, and can give you the best letter. If the A&P professor knows you pretty well, it would probably be more beneficial, if it is a good letter, and since they would know her. If her letter would just be mediocre, then pick the letter from your office, since he/she could probably give you a shining letter. Also, you might be able to use more than one letter? Have you checked with your school?

I definitely need more than one letter. I know I am for sure using the LOR from my work, but I'm not sure about the other one. The undergrad LOR knows me better and longer, but she is not a teacher:/

 

[polylux]

I definitely need more than one letter. I know I am for sure using the LOR from my work, but I'm not sure about the other one. The undergrad LOR knows me better and longer, but she is not a teacher:/

I think his idea was that you could use more than two letters... so you can pick more than one from the above three options you listed.

 

[lysine9740]

Yeah, that's what I meant. thanks. It would depend on your school. If the school specifically says you need a professor who has thought you, then no you couldn't use the provost. Same with the letter from where you are volunteering. If this is the case, then you have no choice but to use the CC professor. If this is not the case, then use the provost, since they would give you the best letter. A letter from someone who doesn't know you really well will be a standard half paragraph about your rank (gpa) in the class, attendance, etc. which admissions doesn't really like.

Some schools want a DO/MD and a professor who has though you. Other want two professors who have thought you. And some just want any two letters from anyone (non family) from a professional setting. It all depends on what your school says.

 

[bionerd89]

Hello all- First post here on SDN,
I am applying to DO programs for the first time after being relentlessly rejected from several PA programs last cycle. Kind of simple question here- I had an A&P teacher at a CC who also teaches online classes at the D.O. program I am applying to. Would it be beneficial to get a LOR from her(assuming they favor references from their own faculty)? OR would it more more beneficial to get another MD LOR from the hospital I will be volunteering at? ORR I have another reference from my undergrad school. She in non-academic, but the Associate Provost for Enrollment and the faculty advisor for the club I was VP in.
I already have a LOR from the MD at my office( I work as an MA)
I know they would all be good letters, but what would LOOK best?? Appreciate your feedback🙂

What are the average stats for PA schools? I thought if you had significant medical experience then your chances are good.

 

[iWillOneDay]

What are the average stats for PA schools? I thought if you had significant medical experience then your chances are good.

PA schools are actually pretty competitive. their gpa is comparable to DO schools, even MD.
cons: less salary, less "authority", less options?
pros: short time (2yrs), often work/treated just like doctors, less loan, "family"

 

[kinzav]

What are the average stats for PA schools? I thought if you had significant medical experience then your chances are good.

My best bud has been trying for PA. The biggest difference I've seen in applying is you really can't get passed a sub par GPA. At least in medical school you can completely smash the MCAT and have a good chance, but for PA, the GRE is just garbage and everyone gets the experience, so it's a 3.3+ or you're not gonna have any bites.

As far as OP goes, I'd say get a letter from everyone. Speak with them about their comfort level with writing your letter, and if they are informed and willing, take all of them up on it. Getting a letter from the non-teacher seems a bit strange because she might not be familiar with writing medical school LOR's, but I don't think it'd be a red flag if you had those 3 other letters to cover the more conventional areas (science professors and supervisors of clinical work).

 

[malamed]

What are the average stats for PA schools? I thought if you had significant medical experience then your chances are good.

PA is very competitive..The class size is much smaller than DO or MD, so more applicants for fewer seats. I applied to several "broad" schools with average stats, but they don't do grade forgiveness, so my GPA is dragged down by some classes I retook. Not the case for DO or Caribbean med schools. I'm lucky because I live in a state that is currently opening up 4 more programs(10ish total), but damn they are getting competitive..
ECU has a decent program, but those stats…...
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/pa/admissions.cfm

Anyway, I'm gonna go for the A&P teacher. I just had her class so hopefully she'll have more to say about my passion and drive in the medical field. Last question is- What all should I send to her, and other LOR, regarding info about me? I know some students send a copy of their PS, stats or even a transcript. I don't want anything to hurt my letter, so I kind of want to stay away from providing specific grades(as I said I retook 2 classes).

 

[polylux]

I sent my resume and PS to give them a better idea of the rest of my package, left out my grades (I retook classes too), and mentioned briefly something I hoped their letter would say about me. For instance, this one professor knows me very well in two classes and I'm doing research with him, so I asked him to talk about my academic ability and critical thinking and that stuff. I have another letter from an DO I work with, so I asked her to mention my work ethic, adaptability, and dedication. Stuff like that. They said that was helpful for them, because they want to help but sometimes they don't know where to start. (Letter writers are human too! Shocking.)

 

[studentp0x]

If all else equal, is a prof/lecturer with a phd better than one with a masters only?

 

[kinzav]

PA is very competitive..The class size is much smaller than DO or MD, so more applicants for fewer seats. I applied to several "broad" schools with average stats, but they don't do grade forgiveness, so my GPA is dragged down by some classes I retook. Not the case for DO or Caribbean med schools. I'm lucky because I live in a state that is currently opening up 4 more programs(10ish total), but damn they are getting competitive..
ECU has a decent program, but those stats…...
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/pa/admissions.cfm

Anyway, I'm gonna go for the A&P teacher. I just had her class so hopefully she'll have more to say about my passion and drive in the medical field. Last question is- What all should I send to her, and other LOR, regarding info about me? I know some students send a copy of their PS, stats or even a transcript. I don't want anything to hurt my letter, so I kind of want to stay away from providing specific grades(as I said I retook 2 classes).

I'd say send them all the info (PS, resume, transcripts) and probably a little note about the angle you're taking with them (ie "you're a clinician and I was hoping you'd speak to my affect with patients" or "you're my professor and I was hoping you'd speak to my ability to perform in the classroom"). If they've agreed to write a letter, they're probably trying to get you in, so they'll be doing their best to highlight your strengths and avoid your weaknesses. Saying something like "I've done poorly in my first try at these classes, but as you can see, my retake grades are great - and I think that's more representative of the person I am today etc. etc." would probably be a good idea so they don't think you're not cut out for med school. Good luck.

If all else equal, is a prof/lecturer with a phd better than one with a masters only?

Yes.